7.23.2004

"Those were times of fracas & uproar," spake Sir Henry, adjusting the corset of his rusted cuirasse. He leaned against his plastene shield, marked with the scarlet Cross of St. Andrewe and 3 yellow puffballs, insignia of the Fellowship of the Golden Fleas.

He spake at length, then, in his gruff knightly-hangover voice, of his glory days in battle against Poesie de Langage, and other reprobates and infidels. "Twas at the dusk of the last millennium, during the reign of King Bill, in the Ville de Buffaloe" quoth he; "many were the scuffles and duels, then; oft'times single-handed, 'gainst all comers, belike. Methought then, and methinketh now yet, that one signal cardinal sin bore down, with plumbous bars, that dur Langpo : twas their feigned or attempted extinction of Personality. For personality, my young lads & damsels, may be likened unto this checker'd insignia, inscribed upon my battered, trusty old shield. Tis emblematic of one's very Soul: like that fransiscan brother's - his name escapeth me - Walt, was it? - his grassy handkerchief, designedly drop't by his own winsome Lord. Or as that other brother - Nicholas, of Cusa fame - quoth: "All things Giulianize in you, Guliano" - every word of every poem, no less so."